42 The Canadian Horticulturist. 



In about a week he has retailed out his carload of apples, got the top price 

 with the least expense, banked his money and is prepared to load up another 

 car for some other point. 



Is there not a hint here for Ontario fruit growers ? Do we try earnestly enough 

 to get nearer to the consumer ? Are not the middle men getting too large a share 

 of our profits ? 



TREE ROOTS. 



fHILE much has been written and said respecting the care of the stem, 

 branches, fruit and blossom of trees, it might not be inappropriate to say 

 a few words respecting their descending parts. Trees seem to lose, to some 

 degree, their fruitful qualities by grafting scions, taken from grown young trees, 

 instead of from those that are known to bear ; but it seems evident that the 

 practice of cutting the roots into fragments must retard, if not injure, the growth 

 of the trees. Again, nurserymen are not as careful of the roots in digging as the 

 nature of the roots require. Hence, every orchardist ought to say, 



" Sparc, man, spare the tree, 

 You dig for me." 



Some years ago we sent an order for one thousand peach trees to Zenia, 

 Ohio, but the roots were cut so close to the stem that we might have set them 

 out, like our grafts, with a dibble instead of spade. So we consigned them to the 

 flames, the place for wood, hay, stubble of works that have been condemned. 

 Then, when a tree has not been injured in stalk, stem or root, dig a place for it 

 the diameter of which is twice the longest root. Eet the roots descend at an 

 angle of forty-five degrees, and that will give the depth at the circumference, and, 

 if the roots be seven or eight, be sure and lay them straight and, at the highest 

 part of the cone, sink the tap root until the stem is even with the surface, and 

 pack the earth about it and the tree will not need a stake to hold it in its place. 

 Never bury the stalk deep, unless to ward off the mice, and then be sure to 

 remove the incumbrance in the spring of the year. That trees need air is 

 evident from the fact that if you herd cattle around the roots the trees begin to 

 fail and show signs of decay. Trees on river banks get air, food and moisture, 

 and it is said of them, as of a good man, " their leaf shall not fade." 



Grimsby, Ont. C. E. Woolverton. 



GRAPES IN MUSKOKA. 



Mr. H. Reazin writes, in reply to question 84, as follows : — Clinton, per- 

 fectly hardy, and bears well at Bracebridge ; Isabella, perfectly hardy, and bears 

 well but fruit ripens late ; Moore's Diamond, perfectly hardy, bears well ; Moore's 

 Early, perfectly hardy, bears well ; Brighton, perfectly hardy, bears well ; Moyer's 

 Early, perfectly hardy, bears well. 



